Monday's Afternoon Update
With news of COVID vaccine, Florida gas prices stall near $2 a gallon
Gas prices in Florida leveled off in the past week, partially due to strides in the development of a COVID-19 vaccine, marking the end of a month of decline linked to falling crude oil markets. Oil prices increased with hopeful news that coronavirus vaccines were effective and a path to making them available to the public is being explored, according to the AAA-Auto Club South. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.
Florida citrus packers: South Africa imports pose risk
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS) announced it is authorizing the importation of cold-treated fresh citrus from South Africa into all U.S. ports of entry. Previously, APHIS restricted the entry of cold-treated citrus fruit from South Africa to four U.S. ports that have cold-treatment facilities. More from Southeast AgNet.
Give Miami Day opens with new ideas to help you help Miami nonprofits during pandemic
Miami’s largest online giving campaign, Give Miami Day, is about to close its first decade at perhaps the most critical juncture in South Florida’s philanthropic history. Nonprofits serving Miami-Dade are struggling to raise funds even as residents rely heavily on their services to get through the COVID-19 pandemic, which, since March, has led institutions to halt productions or events that bring in revenue. More from the Miami Herald.
Sales and Marketing Advice
Do you need a sales audit to boost revenue?
How confident are you about where your company stands? The truth is, sometimes you just don’t know what you don’t know --- and the clock is ticking. It’s not always obvious, yet it should be. One thing is inescapable – if you and your team don’t sell effectively, competitors will grow at your expense. A sales audit will help. It’s like one on those health checkups where you go in to a hospital for weekend full of prodding, probing, and embarrassing questions. Read Ron Stein's full colum here.
Orange County to reopen online portal for $1,000 stimulus checks today
Orange County is reopening its online CARES Act stimulus check portal today to aid residents who are facing economic struggles in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Applicants must be an Orange County resident to qualify and provide the following: proof they’ve been financially impacted because of COVID-19, have both a photo ID and Social Security card, and submit documentation of loss of income, which could include pay stubs or an employer notice of reduced hours, layoffs or furloughs. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Central Florida lands hub for Jetsons-like ‘flying cars’
The nation’s first regional hub for “flying cars” is being built in central Florida, and once completed in five years, the vehicles will be able to take passengers from Orlando to Tampa in a half hour. The Tavistock Development Corp. said it was constructing a Jetsons-like aviation facility in Orlando’s Lake Nona area. Tavistock built the mixed-use planned community. Lake Nona already is home to several medical and research facilities.
» More from the AP.
Business Profile
P.J's Boutique:
Last summer, P.J's Boutique left Main Street in Sarasota after 39 years in the downtown shopping district. The 2018 red tide bloom, combined with the beautification project on Main Street and Lemon Avenue last summer, set the boutique back quite a bit financially. Now, owner Lisa Charnicharo has made a move she thinks a lot of other small business owners will have to make in these ever-evolving times. Her boutique has moved into a sort of retail coworking space.
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.